Job, 23

1. Then Job answered and said,

1. Job answered and said:

2. Even to day [is] my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

2. Again today my complaint is rebellious; I groan under his heavy hand.

3. Oh that I knew where I might find him! [that] I might come [even] to his seat!

3. If only I knew where to find him, if only I could go to his dwelling,

4. I would order [my] cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

4. I would bring my case before him and lay out in full my arguments.

5. I would know the words [which] he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

5. I would find out his answer and understand what he would say.

6. Will he plead against me with [his] great power? No; but he would put [strength] in me.

6. Would he need great power to debate with me? No! he needs only to listen!

7. There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

7. He would know the complainant to be an upright man and I would be free of my judge.

8. Behold, I go forward, but he [is] not [there]; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:

8. But if I go eastward, he is not there; if I go westward, I still cannot see him.

9. On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold [him]: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see [him]:

9. Seeking him in the north, I do not find him; looking for him in the south, he is not there.

10. But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

10. But he knows my every step, and I will come out as gold in his test.

11. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

11. I have always walked along his path; I have kept his ways and not turned aside.

12. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary [food].

12. I have not departed from his commands, instead I have treasured his words.

13. But he [is] in one [mind], and who can turn him? and [what] his soul desireth, even [that] he doeth.

13. But who can oppose once he has decided? He does what he desires.

14. For he performeth [the thing that is] appointed for me: and many such [things are] with him.

14. He will carry out his decree and other plans laid out for me.

15. Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.

15. That is why I am terrified when I think of all this.

16. For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:

16. God has made me lose courage; the Almighty has made me afraid,

17. Because I was not cut off before the darkness, [neither] hath he covered the darkness from my face.

17. but I am not silenced by darkness, by the thick gloom that covers my face.